Description:
This rare 16the century gold corona del sol coin was minted in the Low Countries city of Antwerp during the rule of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Antwerp was a major shipping trade port in the state of the Duchy of Brabant, which was located in parts of present-day Belgium and the Netherlands.
The obverse of this coin features a cross fleurée with castles and double headed royal eagles in the quarters. The legend shows the 1545 date and the Latin inscription DA MIHI VIRTVTE COTRA HOSTES TVOS translates to “Give me strength against your enemies.” The reverse depicts the crowned coat of arms of Austria-Burgundy with the sun above and two firearms with sparks splashing on each side. The legend CARO DG RO IMP HISP REX DVX BVRG Z BR translates to Charles, by God's grace Emperor of the Romans, King of the Spanish, Duke of Burgundy and Brabant.
Charles was the heir of three of Europe's leading dynasties, the House of Habsburg, the House of Valois-Burgundy and the House of Trastámara. In 1506, Charles inherited his father's Burgundian territories, which included the Low Countries. Charles was the first King to rule Castile, León, and Aragon simultaneously and in 1516 he became the first King of Spain. In 1519, Charles also became Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria. The Low Countries held an important place in the empire as this was the region where Charles was born and spent his childhood. Because of trade, industry and the wealth of the region's cities, the Low Countries were also a vital source of income for the imperial treasury.